Cultivator vs. Galaxy: Rebirth in a World of Mechas

Wouldn't that be exciting?

The thought alone made her eyes gleam with a subtle, radiant light.

But Elsa controlled herself, refusing to let her excitement show in front of William.

Who knew what he would do—or how he'd react—if he somehow picked up on what she was thinking? Just imagining how he might tease or point it out made her all the more determined to keep her expression neutral.

She raised her chin slightly and looked at William, only to find his face turned toward her… his eyes almost pleading, not so different from those of a puppy.

Elsa, who had just opened her mouth to respond—still a bit reluctant to accept his proposal—was caught off guard by that look.

Her mouth hung open mid-sentence, stunned into silence.

Her mouth twitched slightly as she snapped out of her daze and said,

"Are you a dog or what? Why are you making that puppy face?"

"Dog?" William muttered when he heard Elsa call him that. His expression darkened as he snapped back, "What dog? What puppy? I'm neither of those…"

Elsa, unimpressed, smirked and replied, "Yeah, yeah, as if I'd believe you when you're making that kind of face. Anyway, I don't care what or why you're doing all that. I'll agree to your demands—but on one condition: things must stay exciting.

Do whatever you want, however you want, but I must not get bored. You have to make sure of that. As for discovering the way forward, that's on you. And your powers—you'd better use them, just like you said—otherwise, it'll all be boring."

"So, you're fine with it?" William asked, trying to confirm again. Though he was excited, he knew without Elsa's permission he couldn't do anything. Well… he was a slave, after all. Not really, but you get the point.

Elsa grew irritated at his constant need for confirmation when she had already made herself clear. "Yeah, I said that already," she snapped, stomping her foot against the ground.

William scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. "Okay, okay, I get it, I understand," he said.

Changing the subject, Elsa asked, "So, what are you going to do now?"

William stopped laughing, his tone turning serious. "I'm thinking… for starters, let's establish ourselves, no? Sure, I have a direct voice on the Federation Council now, but that's just soft power. We need more than that. For that, I was considering using what we already have in our hands. One option is to attack and clear out some areas—reclaim the star systems once ruled by the Federation.

That way, we'll earn war merits, secure resources we need, and build the reputation necessary to establish our own forces. Only with strength and proof of resolve, something others can recognize, can we begin recruiting. And for the foundation of our force, the most important thing is—"

He was cut off as Elsa finished his thought herself. "Manpower. That's what we need. We don't lack weapons, or even the resources to make them. Everything is here in this star system, and we can set up manufacturing units right away. In a short span of time, production won't be a problem. What we really need is people—to attract a vast population from other regions of the Federation.

That way, we can also deter those within the Federation who aren't happy with our integration.

After all, we won't be recruiting people directly from the Federation, and that way they can't sabotage us or our recruitment efforts. For now, remuneration will certainly play a part, but our main method of recruitment—if we can even call it that—will be through our reputation."

She paused and then continue on with the same momentum.

"In this way, we can deter those who might otherwise try to interfere with us. It's not that we can't extend help beyond this galaxy, but in the short term, that would be problematic for us, and best avoided. Even if we have the power to do anything we wish, we can't allow ourselves to appear as tyrants—which we are not.

And since slavery isn't a thing here, the only way forward is to draw others willingly if we want to grow from the start."

"Yup, the more we show—and the more we reclaim star systems from the Alliance—the more relieved the people will be once they learn of our achievements. And this is something I believe we can accomplish through the position I've been awarded, supposedly as a gesture of goodwill from the Federation," William said with a faint chuckle.

Elsa only smiled at this so-called goodwill, but she understood that the position did come with some real authority they could use. One of those powers was the ability to spread their achievements and make them known throughout the Federation. She grasped the logic behind William's words and looked at him as he continued.

"After all, this way they'll clearly see that we have more than enough power to defend them against anything—at least for the time being."

He paused, and Elsa carried the thread forward, adding another point he hadn't touched on.

"Yes, that protection. It's something the Federation simply isn't able to provide anymore, since they're stretched far too thin—or so they claim. From the digging I've done, that's what I've learned for the most part," she explained, tapping her temple as if to say her mind processed such things faster than his. It earned her an irritated glare, but she ignored it and pressed on.

"Not that they're wrong, but they're not as strong as they portray themselves either. Perhaps it's because they've refused to accept reality, still clinging to the hope of reestablishing a connection with the Milky Way Galaxy—something they cannot achieve.

Anyway, where was I… ah, yes. While the Federation's inner regions remain largely untouched by the decades-long war, the outer regions are far less safe—and the people there know it well. We have proof of this.

In the data I've collected, I've already seen a constant influx of families from the Federation's border territories moving to safer regions. And those are only the ones who can afford it.

There are surely far more who want to leave—people whose lives could be threatened at any moment by a stray Alliance fleet slipping through the gaps in the Federation's defences and wiping them out."

"You're right about that, Elsa… it's only the wealthy who are moving to the inner regions—and that's because of both their wealth and their connections that allow them to relocate."

He paused, then continued. Well, at least that was his intention—but Elsa beat him to it and spoke first. She voiced the very thought that had been lingering in his mind. He wasn't surprised; it was natural for them to share such thoughts, as it often happened between them.

So, he remained silent, simply listening as she spoke, her hand resting thoughtfully on her chin.

"That alone shows the current state of the Federation—continuously worsening, just as we learned from the files we reviewed yesterday. The Federation still stands, but with each passing day, things grow worse, and people know it—especially those suffering in the outer regions. And, as I said, only the wealthy can afford to move, and even then, money alone doesn't guarantee safety.

The Federation is built on a tiered society that enforces sharp divides. Tier-2 citizens look down on those beneath them, just as Tier-1 citizens treat Tier-2 the same way. These differences in rank and recognition are tied to their backgrounds—whether that's their nation, kingdom, empire, level of knowledge, or overall societal standing."

The Federation is structured on a tiered society that creates sharp divides. Tier-2 citizens look down on those below them, just as Tier-1 citizens treat Tier-2 the same way. That difference in rank and recognition is rooted in their backgrounds—be it their country, kingdom, empire, level of knowledge, or societal standing.

Elsa stepped closer, leaning lightly against his back. Her voice was thoughtful, yet steady with conviction.

"And that is exactly what we can—and should—capitalize on before things improve, which is likely to happen soon. After all, you've already gifted them Tier-7 shipbuilding technology, something they should have already begun working on. Once completed, those ships—built with our tech—will gradually elevate their situation, making things better and better for them in the future.

Which is good, of course, but not useful to us right now. Only in chaos can we fully make use of the plan you proposed, right?"

Then she continue with her hands folded around here chest…

"By following through with what you proposed—while also easing their path to settle here—we can make this place far easier for them to accept. We could even handle the transportation ourselves. That would be far more effective, and it would win us their gratitude.

There are countless things we could do—many without provoking any major faction, unless they deem our actions excessive. And naturally, our main focus would be those in the Federation's outer regions—most of them Tier-3 citizens, people with limited prospects and little hope for the future."